Magnetic separator



May 20, 1952 A, BLlND 2,597,561

MAGNETIC SEPARATOR Filed OCT. 15, 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET l FIZZ n9 7 May 20, 1952 K. A. BLIND MAGNETIC SVEPARATOR 2 SHEETS SHEET 2 Filed Oct. 15. 1949 INVENTOR. 1K 43m Patented May 20, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE I'VIAGNETIC SEPARATOR Application October 15, 1949, Serial No. 121,499

Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of magnetic separation, and relates more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of apparatus for removing magnetic materials from fluent mixtures.

A primary object of my invention is to provide an improved magnetic separator which is extremely simple and compact in construction and which is moreover highly efficient and economical in its operation.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an improved self-enclosed device for efiectively removing deleterious metallic particles from fluent mixtures by magnetic attraction and in a continuous process. Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved magnetic separator wherein the magneto-motive force consists of a block of highly permanently magnetized material, the'eifect of which is substantially uniformly distributed throughout the entire zone of separation.

Another specific object of my invention is to provide an improved magnetic separating unit which may be eifectively utilized with maximum eificiency for rapidly, automatically and continuously removing magnetic particles from an advancing stream of liquid coolant, lubricant, furnace slag, potters clay, and like fluent materials.

A further specific object of my present invention is to provide an improved magnetic separator which comprises relatively few simple parts, all of which are readily accessible for inspection, replacement or repair with the aid of ordinary tools.

Still another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved unitary magnetic separator which is extremely flexible in its adaptations, which possesses a high degree of mobility, which is exceptionally durable, and wherein all parts are eifectively protected.

An additional specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic separator which may be readily produced and merchandised at relatively low cost, which possesses great capacity for its size, and wherein the magneto-motive force is created by a single magnet.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic separator which comprises, a body of magnetic material having a helical peripheral projection surrounded by a non-magnetic shell providing an external carrying surface, a non-magnetic 2 wall spaced from the shell to provide an intervening passage, a source of magneto-motive force at one end of the body, a keeper of magnetic material cooperating with the magnetomotive source to cause magnetic lines offorce to span the passage, means for-producing a flow of fluent mixture containing magnetic particles through the passage in one direction, and means for rotating the body in the opposite direction to cause magnetic particles to be removed from the passage while clinging to the carrying surface.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the features consti-' tuting my present improvements, and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing magnetic separators embodying the invention, may "be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a top view of one of my improved magnetic separator units;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the improved device, taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the unit, taken along the irregular line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section through a fragment of the drive mechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary section through a peripheral portion of the rotor and adjacent elements forming the separating zone, and showing the approximate force lines within this zone.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as being particularly useful and advantageously applicable to magnetic separators for continuously removing magnetic particles or chips from liquid coolant used in machine tool operations, it is not my desire or intention to unnecessarily restrict or limit the scope or utility of the present improvements by reason of such limited disclosure.

Referring to the drawings, the improved separator shown therein as embodying my invention comprises, in general, a body 8 of magnetic material having a helical peripheral projection 9 surrounded by a non-magnetic shell or casing it having a smooth external surface; a non-magnetic wall or spacer ll spaced from the shell [0 about the lower part of the unit to provide an intervening passage [2; a block l3 of highly permanently magnetized material, such as Alnico,"

furnishing the source of magneto-motive power and coacting with the body 8, a keeper I4 of magnetic material cooperating with the magnetic block I3 to cause magnetic lines of force to span the passage I2, the keeper I4 being shown herein as comprising the lower wall of the main casing or housing I5; means for producing a flow of fluent mixture containing magnetic particles through the passage I2, including an inlet vessel or tank I6 associated with the casing I5 at the upper or inlet end of the passage I2 and a discharge receptacle I'I associated with the. casing I5 at the lower fluid discharge end of the passage I2; and means including a shaft I8 and a drive gear I9, for rotating the body 8 in the direction opposite to that of the fluent flow to cause magnetic particles to be removed from the passage I2 while clinging to the external surface of the shell II) as will hereinafter more fully appear.

It. has heretofore been proposed to provide magnetic lifting poles of symmetrical wedge or V- shape cross-section in magnetic separators; and as indicated in my co-pending application, Serial No. 747,229, filed May 10, 1947, now patent number 2,591,121 for Cross-Belt Magnetic Separator, I have found that the capacity of a magnetic. separator may be substantially increased by the provision of a lifting face having a number of similar successive lifting apices distributed uniformly throughout the separating zone. This principle has been utilized generally in my present improvement wherein 1 form the body or rotor 8 with one or morev helical peripheral projections 9. forming the effective liftin urfac the projections. 9. being substantially V-shaped in cross-sections as. shown. The body 8 is furthermore of cylindrical shape with the, nonmagnetic shell I0 forming a drum provided with a smooth external carrying and scraping surface; and this body 8 may be formed of more than one piece of magnetic. material, as shown in Fig. 2, with the helical peripheral projections 9 thereof being oppositely directed.

As indicated, the passage I2 is formed by the external surface of the cylindrical non-magnetic shell I0 and the non-magnetic wall II spaced therefrom; and this wall II is curved, as shown, to correspond with the cylindrical surface of the shell l0 and is disposed parallel therewith to provide a passage I2 of uniform cross-section from inlet to outlet. It is also preferable to locate the wall I I in close proximity to the external surface of the shell l0 so as to provide an intervening confined passage l2 of relatively low height wherein the magnetic particles in the fluent mixture are brought within an area of greater magnetic intensity during flow of the mixture through the passage I2 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3; and the ends of the passage [2 may be sealed by suitable nonmagnetic sealing rings or the like interposed between the shell III and the inner wall of the casing I5.

The source of magneto-motive force. has been shown and described as. Qomprising a single cylindrical block I3 of permanently magnetized material such as Alnico coacting directly with one end of the body 8- and mounted on a. common nonsmagnetic, shaft. I8: for rotation therewith; and while this arrangement; may obviously be varied as desired, I have found, that the apparatus. shown results in an extremely efficient and compact unit. which may be entirely housed in a main casing I5 ofsimplev construction.

casing I5 may be of approximately cylindrical shape with the opposite ends thereof being closed by end plates 2|, 22 detachably secured thereto by means of bolts or the like and with the inlet and outlet receptacles I6, I1, respectively, formed integral therewith, as shown, or otherwise attached in any suitable manner; and with the casing I5 being formed of magnetic material, the lower wall l4 thereof serves as a keeper cooperating with the magneto-motive source I3 through a disc 23 of magnetic material also mounted on the shaft I8 adjacent to the magnet l3 to cause magnetic lines of force to span the passage I2, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5, the periphery of the disc 23 being closely adjacent to the internal wall of the casing I5.

As indicated, the body 8, magnetic block I3 and disc 23 are preferably all carried by the shaft I8 which may have the opposite ends thereof threaded to receive nuts 24 for tightening these several members axially on the shaft; and in addition, the body 8 is keyed to the shaft l8 as at 25 to insure against relative rotation. The shaft I8 is, in turn, journalled for rotation at the opposite ends thereof in suitable bearings 26, 2'! carried by the respective end plates 2|, 22 of the casing; and this shaft is driven by the gear IS which is keyed thereto and meshes with a worm gear 23 which is driven in any suitable manner to cause rotation of the shaft I8 and the body 8 in the direction of the arrow and opposite to that of the flow through the passage i2, thereby causing the magnetic particles in the fluent mixture to be removed from the passage, I2 whilev clinging by magnetic attraction to the smooth external carrying surface of the shell ID as indicated in Fig. 3.

To removev the clinging particles from the revolving shell surface, the casing I5 is provi with an upper opening 28. through which is projected a. chip discharge chute having a scraping edge 3| adapted to coact with the smooth surface of the rotor shell I0 to scrape the particles therefrom during rotation; and the chute 30, which conducts the removed particles to a remote point for disposition,v may be conveniently pivotally mounted to the casing I5 by means of a pivot pin 32' or the like. To aid in moving the unit, a hook or lifting eye 33 may be secured to the upper part of the casing; and the assemblage may also be provided with a suitable base 34' for proper positioning thereof. The worm driving gear 28 may be operated. by' any suitable electric motor 35 or the like in a known manner and to. enable drain age of the unit plugs 35, 31 for the receptacles IS, IT, respectively, and a plug 38 for the casing [5, as well as a plug 39 for the end plate 22, may be provided.

The operation of the improved apparatus thus described is as follows: The coolant or other fluent mixture containing magnetic particles to be separated is introduced to the inlet chamber I6 from which it is conductedthrough the confined passage I2, in the direction indicated, to the outlet chamber Il, from which it may be pumped or otherwise conveyed to the machine. tool for reuse. During such circulation of the fluent mixture, the shaft I8 is driven, in a direction opposite to that of fluent flow, by the. gear l9 driven by the worm gear 28 coupled to; the motor 3.5, thereby causing rotation. of the drum, formed by the body 8 and shell ID, in an obvious manner. Since the body 8' of magnetic material is constantly directly associated with the. source of magneto-motive force l8 which is, in turn, in constant magnetic communication with the casing wall, forming the keeper l4, through the disc 23 of magnetic material, magnetic lines of force are caused to span the passage or channel [2, as shown in Fig. 5; and since a single source of magneto-motive force is utilized for magnetization through thecylindric'al body 8 which is provided with one or more helical peripheral projections 9, an extremely effective homopolar separation zone is created wherein the magnetic lifting force is spread with maximum efliciency throughout the entire periphery of the separating drum, thereby causing the deleterious magnetic particles in the fluent mixture to become separated from such mixture and cling to the smooth external surface of the drum shell I!) with minimum disturbance in the flow through the passage l2. As the rotation of the body 8 is continued in the direction opposite to that of the flow, the clinging particles are removed from the passage [2 and are thereafter scraped from the smooth external surface of the shell! by the scraper 3| from which they are conducted to a remote point by the chute 3!] for disposal; and this process is continued as long as a fiow is caused in the passage 12 with the body 8 being rotated.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be apparent that my present invention provides an improved magnetic separator which is simple,

compact and durable in construction and which is moreover highly efiicient in operation and provides for maximum capacity. The improved helical peripheral pole face provides for maximum attractive or lifting force uniformly across the entire separating zone; and when oppositely directed helixes are provided, as shown in Fig. 2, there is a slight movement of the particles clinging to the smooth external drum surface away from the end seals 20 and toward the central portion of the rotor or drum periphery as the same is rotated, thereby tending to keep these end seals clean and free of chips. Since the magneto-motive force originates from a single source, such as the Alnico block l3, and is distributed with maximum uniformity throughout the entire lifting surface, an extremely effective homopolar zone is created wherein the separation is ei fected with minimum disturbance and maximum efiiciency; and the provision of the shell it of nonmagnetic material provides a smooth surface from which the clinging particles may be readily scraped with the aid of a straight-edged scraper. The spacer or passage forming wall I I cooperates with the smooth external lifting surface of the shell to provide a confined passage of uniform cross-section throughout and wherein the magnetic particles in the fluent mixture are carried in close proximity to the effective lifting face, and the casing I5, besides providing a protective housing, includes a wall l4 which acts as a keeper cooperating with the magneto-motive source. The assemblage is entirely enclosed and is exceedingly mobile for its capacity; and magnetic separating assemblages embodying the invention have proven extremely efiicient and practical in actual commercial use.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of use, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains; and it is also contemplated that specific descriptive terms used herein be given the broadmagnetic material pick-up pole extending axially from one end of said magnetized block in contact and rotatable therewith, a cooperating magnetic pole consisting of a coaxially disposed disc of magnetic material contacting and rotatable with the opposite end of said magnetized block and a stationary keeper of magnetic material providing a pole extension cooperable with the periphery of said disc, said keeper extending substantially parallel to the axis of an outwardly spanning said magnetized block, and being cooperable with said annular pick-up pole throughout the width and outwardly beyond the periphery thereof to provide a separating zone of magnetic influence be tween said rotatable pick-up pole and said stationary keeper, and means for removing magnetic particles from said pick-up pole as said pole is rotated.

2. A magnetic separator comprising, an annular rotary permanently magnetized'block providing a source of magneto-motive force, a continuous annular magnetic material pick-up pole extending axially from one end of said magnetized block in contact and rotatable therewith. a cooperating magnetic pole consisting of aco axially alined disc of magnetic material and of greater circumference than said magnetized block and said pick-up pole contacting and rotatable with the opposite end of said block and a stationary keeper of magnetic material providing a pole extension cooperable with the periphery of said disc, said keeper extending substantially parallel to the axis of and outwardly spanning said magnetized block and being cooperable with said annular pick-up pole throughout the width and outwardly beyond the periphery thereof to provide a separating zone of magnetic influence between said rotatable pick-up pole and said stationary keeper, and means for removing magnetic particles from said pick-up pole remote from said separating zone as said pole is rotated.

3. A magnetic separator comprising, a rotary permanentely magnetized block providing a source of magneto-motive force, a continuous annular magnetic material pick-up pole extending axially from one end of said magnetized block in contact and rotatable therewith, a cooperating magnetic pole consisting of a coaxially disposed disc of magnetic material contacting and rotatable with the opposite end of said magnetized block and a stationary keeper of magnetic material providing a pole extension cooperable with the periphery of said disc, said keeper extending substantially parallel to the axis of and outwardly spanning said magnetized block and being cooperable with said annular pick-up pole throughout the width and outwardly beyond the periphery thereof to provide a separating zone of magnetic influence between said rotatable pick-up pole and said stationary keeper, a stationary non-magnetic wall spaced outwardly away from the periphery of said pick-up pole to provide an arcuate .pick-up space extending throughout said separating zone, and means for removing magnetic particles from said pick-up pole remote from said separating zone as said pole is rotated.

4. A magnetic separator comprising, a rotary permanently magnetized block providing a source of magneto-motive force, a continuous annular magnetic material pick-up pole extending axially from one end of said magnetized block in contact and rotatable therewith and having a helical peripheral projection, a non-magnetic shell embracing said projection and providing a smooth external pick-up surface rotatable with said pole, a cooperating magnetic pole consisting of a coaxially disposed disc of magnetic material contacting and rotatable with the opposite end of said magnetized block and a stationary keeper of magnetic material providing a pole extension cooperable with the periphery of said disc, said keeper extending substantially parallel to the axis of and outwardly spanning said magnetized block and being cooperable with said annular pick-up pole throughout the width and outwardly beyond the non-magnetic shell thereof to provide a separating zone of magnetic influence between said. rotatable pick-up pole and said stationary keeper, and means coacting with the smooth pick-up surface of said shell remote from said separating zone for removing magnetic particles from said pick-up surface as said pick-up pole is rotated.

5. A magnetic separator comprising, a continuous annular body of magnetic material having a pair of oppositely progressing helical peripheral projections, a non-magnetic shell embracing said projections and providing a smooth external magnetic material pick-up surface rotatable with said body, a stationary non-magnetic wall spaced outwardly away from said pick-up surface to provide an intervening arcuate passage, magnetic means contacting one end of said body forcreating a field of magnetic influence therein, a keeper of magnetic material extending throughout the width of said passage outwardly beyond said nonmagnetic wall and providing a stationary magnetic pole spaced from said body, means cooperating with said magnetic means and with said keeper to provide a path therebetween for causing magnetic lines of force to span said passage, means for producing a flow of fluent mixture containing magnetic particles through said passage in one direction, means for rotating said body in the opposite direction to cause magnetic particles to be removed from said passage while clinging to said smooth pick-up surface, and means coacting with said smooth surface for removing the clinging particles therefrom.

KARL A. BLIND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France Oct. 26, 1935 

